It’s official: the festive season is in full swing! And while you’re secretly enjoying hearing Fairytale of New York on the radio again, what’s not so fun is the fact your Christmas to-do and to-see lists seem to be getting longer by the day.
The conundrum is this: winter days are shorter (at least in terms of sunlight hours), yet we find ourselves having to pack more in because this time of year is notoriously busy. Call it the festive frenzy: we feel like we’re in a constant mad rush from morning to nighttime. But constant mad rush = stress = higher chance of burning out or becoming unwell.
Table of Contents
Starting Your Day Right Dopamine-Rich Mornings 8 Top Tips For Stress-Free Mornings 1. Get a good night’s sleep 2. Give yourself a ‘buffer zone’ 3. Light a candle 4. Enjoy a bath 5. Give yourself ‘micro-rewards’ 6. Savour your morning coffee 7. Calm your mind, naturally 8. Nourish your body Take It Slow, Feel The Benefits
Starting Your Day Right
Everywhere you look, you’ll find tips on how to maximise your mornings. Advice tells you to make every minute count by exercising, meal-prepping, journaling, meditating, writing lists, answering emails - the list goes on.
We’ve been sold the idea that a productive morning is key to a productive day. And while we certainly advocate this routine at other times of the year, the pressure to perform pre-9am during the festive frenzy could actually be creating more stress than satisfaction.
We all need to get stuff done in the mornings, but forced productivity could be causing unnecessary stress when your schedule is already jam-packed. So you might do yourself a favour by slowing down and taking things a little easier.
Dopamine-Rich Mornings
Rather than focusing on having super productive mornings, try incorporating small actions or tasks into your routine that together make for more mindful mornings. We’re talking about ‘feel good’ actions that release dopamine and can help put you in a great headspace for the day ahead. Because when you start the day feeling calm rather than under pressure, then you’re more likely to:
Remain focused and clear-headed
Avoid the mid-morning stress crash
Keep your mood steadier
Make better decisions
Be more productive
Enjoy the festive season (as opposed to powering through it)
8 Top Tips For Stress-Free Mornings
When you ease into your day, you’ll be supporting those feel-good dopamine pathways rather than fighting against them. Here are our 8 top tips to stress less, so you feel your best!
1. Get a good night’s sleep
A good night’s sleep sets you up for the whole day - morning included. However, we get that this is often easier said than done, which is why we’ve put some top tips together for both improving the quality of your sleep and stopping waking up too early.
You can also give your body a helping hand in winding down with Sleepee, which supports your body's natural sleep hormone production thanks to its carefully selected ingredients in science-backed dosages.
Add Magnesium Complex to the mix to encourage relaxation and deep, restorative sleep.
2. Give yourself a ‘buffer zone’
Rather than rolling out of bed and straight into your first task of the day, allow yourself 10-15 minutes of zero expectations. Use that time however you wish, but keep it zen: do some gentle stretches or breathing exercises in bed, enjoy a cuppa, or even stare idly out the window!
This might mean setting the alarm a little earlier, just so you have designated time to do absolutely nothing (and not feel guilty about it).
3. Light a candle
Most of us light candles for the ambience, but it turns out they can also have a positive impact on our wellbeing. One study found that citrus-based essential oils have mood-lifting and stress-relieving effects, and help to promote a calm, relaxed state. Meaning, a natural, citrus-scented candle could be the perfect accessory to your mindful mornings! Why not light one whilst enjoying your breakfast or doing some stretches?
4. Enjoy a bath
Baths are mostly associated with the evening wind-down routine. But in the same way it helps promote a sense of calm and relaxation before bedtime, a morning bath can also help to encourage a positive and zen mindstate for the day ahead. Even better if you enjoy it by (citrus-scented) candle light!
5. Give yourself ‘micro-rewards’
Micro-rewards help release dopamine in small hits rather than a big, intense wave - which is beneficial because it can encourage lasting, positive changes to your morning habits. These micro-awards might involve playing your favourite songs whilst getting dressed, using your favourite scented bubble bath, or spending that little bit longer preparing a deliciously nutritious breakfast.
6. Savour your morning coffee
Coffee is a morning staple and a non-negotiable for many of us. But rather than glugging it down like it’s going out of fashion (whilst simultaneously scrolling your socials), slow down, spend time making it, and savour every sip. Focusing on its preparation transforms it from a routine task to a sensory ritual that could improve your mood and mental clarity (as the activity itself turns into one of those micro-rewards we mentioned above). For an additional mind boost, wrap-up warm and enjoy it in the calm, still, crisp outdoors (weather permitting, of course!).
7. Calm your mind, naturally
If your mind switches to overdrive the second you wake up, making it hard (or impossible) to enjoy slow mornings without worrying about everything you need to do, then consider getting some natural support. Calmee is a revolutionary anti-anxiety supplement containing Lactium® and a powerful blend of adaptogens which work together to reduce cortisol (aka the stress hormone) and promote a sense of calm.
8. Nourish your body
We all know that wellness isn’t just about what you do, but also about what you eat - and the choices you make in the morning will go on to influence your entire day. Take time to nourish your body: hydrate with a large glass of water or electrolytes, enjoy the ritual of your morning coffee, prepare a breakfast that delivers steady energy and ticks off some of your daily nutritional needs. Need some inspiration? Here are three delicious breakfast ideas!
We also recommend taking Multee, the most advanced multivitamin on the market - award-winning, no less! It contains 40 ingredients with a dose of added greens to help strengthen your immunity, reignite your energy and banish fatigue.
Take It Slow, Feel The Benefits!
Despite what ‘productivity culture’ insists, you don’t have to squeeze every drop out of your mornings. This festive season, give yourself permission to do just enough, and to do it slowly - your brain and body will thank you for it!
The Author: Toni Waterfall-Chapman
Toni is the co-founder of Extracted, where her journey into supplements began with a personal battle with insomnia. A copywriter by trade with a degree in English Language, she’s passionate about health, nutrition and helping people feel like the best version of themselves - naturally.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
